PM Narendra Modi greeting US President Barack Obama on his arrival in Delhi on January 25
US President Barack Obama's comments on religious intolerance in India had the ruling BJP's political opponents taking digs at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
On Thursday, in a 25-minute address to the National Prayer Breakfast, President Obama referred to India while talking about religious freedom. "Michelle and I returned from India -- an incredible, beautiful country, full of magnificent diversity -- but a place where, in past years, religious faiths of all types have, on occasion, been targeted by other peoples of faith, simply due to their heritage and their beliefs -- acts of intolerance that would have shocked Gandhiji, the person who helped to liberate that nation," he said.
Asked for a response, Arvind Kejriwal, the chief of the Aam Aadmi Party, quipped, "I think Mr Modi will answer this, they are very good friends."
The Congress was also acerbic. "Did the Prime Ministerial Tea reinforce Barrack's understanding of the revival ism & intolerance intrinsic in the BJP govt Another stinker? (sic)" tweeted the party's Manish Tewari.
There is no formal response from the government, but a member of the ruling BJP tried to downplay President Obama's comments.
"I think President Obama's comments are not in reference to any community. He was referring to general intolerance," said party leader GVL Narasimha Rao.
President Obama's words are being seen by some as a significant follow-up to his appeal for religious freedom on the last day of his India visit.
"India will succeed so long as it is not splintered on religious lines," he said at a townhall-style meeting in Delhi, adding, "Nowhere is it more important to uphold religious freedom than in India."
Many interpreted it as a scathing critique at a time the Modi government has been accused of not reining in individuals and groups seen to promote a pro-Hindu agenda.
But this week, the White House said the speech had been misconstrued by some commentators as a kind of a parting shot.
"I think that's been somewhat misconstrued, if you look at the context of the entire speech, it's really about inclusivity. It's about the power of diversity," Phil Reiner, White House's senior director for South Asian Affairs said.